A Democratic city councilman who teaches community college classes said fliers that claim he gave a student an "A" grade in exchange for sex are "maliciously false."

"I believe this was a politically motivated attempt to attack my character and credibility," Councilman Ricky Burgess said Thursday.

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Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richard said city and county police are investigating the fliers that were distributed about Burgess, a Baptist minister who has taught communications for 21 years at the Community College of Allegheny County.

Burgess emailed a statement to local media on Thursday that criticized the fliers and denied their claims. He said he asked school officials to investigate where they originated.

The flier calls Burgess a sexual predator and says he will promise to give students an "A" if they have sex with him. Burgess said it was posted on bulletin boards and in bathrooms at CCAC on Nov. 4 -- just days before he won re-election in District 9.

"I've never engaged in this kind of behavior," Burgess said. "These allegations against me are absolutely false and malicious."

The fliers didn't just go to the college. Burgess said one of them came to his house in Point Breeze, addressed to his wife.

Days after they were distributed, Burgess fired two female City Council aides.

"Whether it's true or not, it should be looked into, and whoever's in the wrong should be punished for it," student Sara Lane said.

Here is the full text of Burgess' written statement to Pittsburgh media:

On November 4, 2011, 4 days before my name appeared on the ballot in the general election, a flyer was posted on various bulletin boards at CCAC, Allegheny Campus, by an anonymous author stating that I exchanged sex for an A grade.

This accusation is absolutely and maliciously false. I have never engaged in such behavior. This is a sad and unfortunate political effort to destroy my character and credibility. Surely it should not be this easy to attempt to attack a husband's relationship with his wife, a father's relationship with his children, a pastor's relationship with his church and a teacher's relationship with his students.

Given the seriousness of this allegation, I asked the President of CCAC, Dr. Alex Johnson, to conduct a thorough investigation of the malicious claims in the anonymously circulated flyers. I also asked Chief Nate Harper of the Pittsburgh Police to investigate as well. I'm glad the County and City Police are jointly investigating this baseless attack on my character. I am further pleased that CCAC is not only conducting its own investigation but cooperating fully with the authorities. I am fully confident once these investigations are completed; I will be fully exonerated and the anonymous author of the slanderous flyer will be identified.

Sexual abuse of women is a serious matter. Those who have been victims should be encouraged to report their abuse.